Slottet is the domicile of King Harald V and Queen Sonja and their grown children Crown Prince Håkon and Princess Märtha Louise. The Palace Esplanade is probably Norway's best-known parade ground. Every year on 17th May, the Royal Family stand on the balcony and greet the children's procession in the courtyard. When foreign Heads of State make state visits to Norway, they are received out on the Esplanade by The King and Queen. In front of the palace there is a horseback statue of the Norwegian/Swedish king Karl Johan overlooking the downtown area down the length of Karl Johans gate.
The Ballroom is the largest and most lavishly designed room in the Palace. It measures 360 square meters and is two stories high. The gallery around the upper floor is supported by 24 pillars marble divided between the two ends of the room and by 24 pillars in wood divided between the two long sides.The Ballroom has parquet flooring with red velvet curtains hung at the windows.
The Banqueting Hall is used for large-scale dinners. Musicians sit in the gallery to play during the meal.